Gymnastics will be making its debut at the CARIFTA competition next month in Kingston, Jamaica – but Cayman’s flag will not be flying at that event.
Officials from the two local gyms – Motions Unlimited and Apex – confirmed to the Compass that no gymnasts are currently prepared to compete this time around but they expect Cayman will be ready next year.
For Caymanian Olympic gymnast Raegan Rutty, while her country will not be featured at the first event, she said the introduction of gymnastics to CARIFTA – arguably the region’s biggest youth competition – is a step in the right direction.
“Every competition is a good opportunity, no matter where it is or what it is. These events will only make you a better person and a better athlete,” Rutty told the Compass.
When asked if she would have wanted to compete at an event like CARIFTA, she responded, “Absolutely. I was only able to compete in like two junior competitions for Cayman.
“I always think that Cayman athletes should take any opportunity to represent. Any chance that an athlete can take, they should take it.”
Athletics and aquatics have been the pillar sports of the CARIFTA franchise for over three decades. In the early 1980s, cycling was also included before eventually being removed.
In fact, at the 1985 CARIFTA Games, Caymanian cyclist Craig Merren won gold – the only athlete from Cayman to ever do so.
Now the stage is set for the first-ever CARIFTA Gymnastics Championships, scheduled to take place at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Jamaica, from 29-30 Nov.
Countries taking part will have to adhere to the level-based regime based on the US developmental programme, as well as meet the standards of elite gymnastics such as from the International Gymnastics Federation or FIG level gymnastics.
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